Wharfedale 3

Sedgley Park 33

SEVEN years ago, almost to the day, in a match that is even yet vivid in the memories of the Wharfedale fans that witnessed it, Walsall crushed the Greens 50-8 at the Avenue, on their way to promotion from National 5 North.

It was the Dalesmens' first year in a National division and, despite the humiliation, they finished in a highly creditable fourth place. The following season they were themselves promoted.

Saturday's comprehensive, six tries to nil defeat was the heaviest home reverse since 1995 and time makes comparisons difficult. But without doubt this one, too, was a significant shock to the system, although whether it results in a similar subsequent improvement in fortunes remains to be seen.

The Greens knew what to expect from Sedgley Park. The 50-24 away reverse in December would have supplied ample background information. However, Park were flattered by that scoreline, Wharfedale having made a significant contribution to an excellent match. This time, the margin truly reflected the victors' overall superiority. Indeed, it could well have been much wider.

Forced onto desperate defence for fully 80 per cent of the match, the Greens were ultimately over-run. A talented all-round team, led by an inspirational skipper in Welsh international stand-off Colin Stephens, Park clearly demonstrated the qualities that have kept them up with the division's leaders throughout this season.

Yet it all started so well for the home side. For the opening 10 minutes they pounded at the visitors' defence and the 3-0 lead from a Jonathan Davies penalty at the end of that period was less than they deserved. But then things began to go wrong - and got progressively worse as the game went on.

The Dalesmen were not short in spirit and throughout the match they tackled as though their lives depended on it - that is, when they could get close enough, particularly to flying wingers Mike Wilcock and Ross Bullough. But the technique and tactics to cope with the very blustery conditions were generally lacking.

The strong wind made accuracy when moving the ball out of hand, or by kicking, difficult. But that, of course, was the same for both sides. Park certainly made their full share of mistakes - but they could afford to, such was their dominance.

Stephens quickly equalised Davies's effort and, after enjoying a little luck when George Smithson crossed only to be pulled back for a marginal forward pass, steadily marshalled his side into the ascendancy. However, they managed to take only two of the many scoring opportunities they carved out before half-time.

Flanker Richard Senior touched down on 24 minutes after the Greens' defence had been stretched all ways by cross-field moves, finally leaving Senior a gap he could stroll through. The Greens then kept their line intact in the face of almost continuous pressure until first-half injury time.

Park's second try came from nothing as a breathtaking sprint by winger Bullough, starting from the 10-metre line, took him away from a clutch of grasping hands to score in the left corner.

Still only 10 points adrift, and now with the strong wind behind them, Wharfedale had theoretical hope. Only rarely, however, did they contrive to make the telling use of the wind that the canny Stephens had done before the interval. But, with their opponents throwing away chances in cavalier fashion, a mixture of luck and dogged determination kept the Dale within sight until the last quarter.

Park then cut loose and, with the Greens visibly wilting, injected realism into the scoreline with four clinical tries, none of which was converted. Bullough completed a sparkling hat-trick with tries on 63 and 76 minutes, Senior got his second after 69, and Stephens rounded off a memorable personal performance by jinking over for the final try two minutes from the end.

Ironically, but to their credit, the exhausted Greens rallied to finish the match as they had begun it. Achieving some continuity for the first time since the opening minutes of the game, they hurled themselves at the Park defence in a final effort to salvage pride. Twice, openings appeared, but tired legs just failed to carry hands and ball over the line.

There was, at least, one cause for celebration and congratulation after this unpleasant experience. Jonathan Davies's three points set a new Wharfedale record for a season of 275, topping by one point Adam Mounsey's previous best tally.

Wharfedale: J Davies; G Smithson (C Eccleston, 45), A Hodgson, G Johnston, C Burnett; A Baggett, D Harrison (G Smith, 67); C Ingram (P Peel, 55), J Lawn (G Hindle, 73), N Dickinson, D Lister, A Capstick, P Evans, H Verity, P Hargreaves.

Sedgley Park: A Peacock; M Wilcock, C Hassan, J Scales, R Bullough; C Stephens, D McCormack; R Latham, L Treco, H Thomas, W Stockdale, P Arnold, R Senior, I Grainey, T Fourie.

Referee: Ed Matthews (RFU)